McLaren's Lando Norris has intensified his criticism of Formula 1's upcoming 2026 regulations, labeling them 'very artificial' and claiming they've made races more dangerous. Speaking after the Australian Grand Prix, Norris stated the new power unit changes, which emphasize battery management, have created chaotic wheel-to-wheel battles that increase accident risks. He described qualifying sixth only to finish fifth in a frenetic race as evidence of the rules' flaws, predicting such chaos could lead to high-speed collisions.

Norris warned of speeds up to 50kph differences when overtaking, potentially causing drivers to 'fly' and 'do a lot of damage' in accidents. His comments underscore growing driver concerns about the new regulations' safety implications.